Sunshine Coast's king of the birds is not done yet

Mark Furler is APN Australian Regional Media’s group digital editor. He’s an award-winning journalist who has lived and worked on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years. He’s passionate about fighting for a better go for locals. His awards include APN Editor of the Year, and involvement in three PANPA Newspaper of the Year wins for the Sunshine Coast Daily.

FRANK Shipp, the Sunshine Coast's king of the birds, admits he is a bit of a 'compulsive obsessive'.

Why else would someone amass almost 500 birds, spend years building gardens, and even bring a fishing boat to his Maleny property.

Some would call him a little crazy, but there's no doubting his passion for nature.

And anyone who has ventured into Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World know he's a man who likes to create something special, regardless of how long it takes.

Frank's passion for nature started as a young boy in South Africa when he bought his first plant.

After life as a successful businessman, Frank moved his family to Australia in 2003, buying what was a rough cattle property at Maleny in 2005.

His dream was to create a big garden on the 44ha hinterland haven.

Getting up close with the birds at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World.Mark Furler

That work started in 2007. He spent two years terracing the slopes, creative waterfalls, lakes, doing mass plantings, creating access to rainforest areas and building gazebos to enjoy the stunning views of the Glass House Mountains.

Four years later, he showcased the gardens in the Australian Open Garden Schemes before opening the gardens to the public seven days a week in July 2012.

Cuddle time with a macaw.Mark Furler

But it's been the creation of the bird aviary, which opened in late 2013, which has drawn visitors from around the world.

The aviary is home to tiny finches, Australian cockatoos and lorikeets, exotic parrots and the macaws.

Getting up close with the birds at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World.Mark Furler

But Frank is far from done.

"I'm putting in a sunken garden in conjunction with the aviary.

"I'm hoping to put a butterfly house one day, a glow worm cave would be good.

"There are many things happening. It will never be completed in my lifetime."